Addressable fiber node

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing a hybrid fiber network (HFN) means to identify a fiber node by a unique address. An addressing module is installed in proximity to, or collocated with, a fiber node. The addressing module comprises an addressing module identifier that associates the addressing module with a particular fiber node. Network parameter values are received from the fiber node by the addressing module and reported to a reporting station.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of hybridfiber-coax (HFC) networks. More particularly, the present inventionpermits an HFC cable network to identify a fiber node by a uniqueaddress.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Wired broadband communication systems increasingly rely on fiberoptical cables (fiber) for data transport. In the cable televisionenvironment, the network uses both fiber and coax (referred to as a“Hybrid Fiber-Coax” or “HFC” network). The signals run in fiber-opticalcables from the cable head end to junctions near the subscriber (the“downstream” direction). At that point, the signal is converted fromoptical transmission over fiber to RF transmission over coaxial cablesthat run to a number of subscriber premises. These junctions arereferred to as fiber nodes. Communications from the subscriber premisesto the cable head end (the “upstream direction”) are sent over coax tothe fiber node where the signal is converted from an RF signal to anoptical signal. The optical signal is then sent over fiber to the cablehead end.

[0003] Access to the cable network's data service is provided through acable modem (CM). Increasingly, CMs are required to comply with anindustry standard referred to as the “Data Over Cable Service InterfaceSpecification” or DOCSIS. DOCSIS provides a set of standards and acertifying authority by which cable companies can achieve cross-platformfunctionality in Internet delivery. A DOCSIS-compliant cable networkcomprises a cable modem termination system (CMTS) that forms theinterface to an Internet service provider (ISP) and exchanges digitalsignals with cable modems on a cable network.

[0004] Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a DOCSIS-compliant HFCnetwork is illustrated. In a DOCSIS HFC network, fiber node 105 isconnected to CM FN1 _(i) 101 and CM FN1 _(n) 102 and fiber node 110 isconnected to CM FN2 _(i) 103 and CM FN2 _(n) 104. Fiber nodes 105 and110 communicate in the upstream direction with an upstream port 125 of aCMTS 120. A downstream port 150 on the CMTS 120 communicates in thedownstream direction with the CM FN1 _(i) 101, CM FN1 _(n) 102, CM FN2_(i) 103, and CM FN2 _(n) 104 through fiber nodes 105 and 110.

[0005] Communication between the CMTS 120 and fiber nodes 105 and 110 inboth the upstream and downstream direction is over a fiber network.Communication between the fiber nodes 105 and 110 and their respectiveCMs is over coaxial cable.

[0006] Each time a CM is powered on (or booted), the CM registers withan upstream port on the CMTS. As an element of this registrationprocess, the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the CM iscommunicated to the CMTS. Using the MAC address, the CMTS associateseach CM with an upstream port on the CMTS to which the CM is connected.

[0007] In contrast to CMs, fiber nodes are not addressable today, and asa result, they are an invisible component on the HFC network. That is,while fiber nodes are connected to a CMTS, the CMTS cannot communicatedirectly with the fiber node. Since the fiber node represents a physicaldomain in the HFC plant, it is valuable to associate that domain withthe logical domain in a network. Currently, information about the healthand configuration of a fiber node is obtained from the HFC plantengineers responsible for configuring and maintaining the HFC.

[0008] Fiber nodes vary in configuration and are described in terms ofthe segmentation of the receivers in the forward (downstream) directionand transmitters in the reverse (upstream) directions. The segmentationof the node is a design consideration that is determined in part by thevolume and nature of the subscriber traffic anticipated by the cableservice provider.

[0009] By making the fiber node addressable, diagnostic information fromthe fiber node about the HFC plant can be reported in real-time to theCMTS. In addition, the number of subscribers connected to a fiber nodeis determinable in real-time by the CMTS. These data would be valuablein determining the demand on upstream ports of a CMTS and in managingavailable bandwidth and the most efficient segmentation of each fibernode. As new services are deployed (e.g., voice over IP), the need tomanage the downstream network is even more critical to efficientmanagement of network resources. Determining the capacity per node—perport in real-time would be invaluable in provisioning new customers andscaling for the future.

[0010] For example, when deploying voice over using the Internetprotocol (VoIP) it is necessary for a multi-system cable operator (MSO)to accurately estimate the number of phone calls that a single upstreamCMTS port may experience so as not to exceed the call capacity of theport. By determining the number of fiber nodes that can be served by asingle upstream CMTS port (the “upstream channel combining ratio”), andthe number of homes-passed per fiber node (a measure of potentialsubscribers), an MSO is able to assess how many “homes passed” areconnected to that CMTS port. Knowledge of the volume of calls passingthrough a fiber node in “real time” would allow the MSO to determinewhen adjustments to the upstream combining ratio would be appropriate.The information would also be helpful in better focusing marketing andsales initiatives within a particular neighborhood by providing the MSOwith information about unused capacity.

[0011] Making the fiber node addressable would also improve the abilityof the network operator to diagnose and remedy network problems. In thecase where there are problems on a DOCSIS CMTS upstream port, being ableto associate that port with a fiber node would allow the operator totrack the symptoms back to a specific area, identify what fiber node(s)are affected by the problem, and enhance the ability to dispatchtechnicians to the appropriate location.

[0012] U.S. Patent Application 2002/0136203 by Lira et al. (the “LiraApplication”), teaches integrating the functionality of a CMTS into thefiber node. The integrated CMTS/fiber node includes a MAC layer thatpresumably allows the integrated CMTS/fiber node to be addressable.While the integrated CMTS/fiber node appears to offer some of thebenefits of an addressable fiber node, the solution of the LiraApplication introduces other problems. By distributing the CMTSfunctionality closer to the end devices (CMs), the number of CMTS risesto the number of fiber nodes on the network thus increasing theprobability of CMTS failure and making maintenance more difficult.Additionally, incorporating the CMTS into the HFC plant exposes thesesensitive electronics to the elements and provides more opportunity fortampering. (In a typical a typical HFC network, the CMTS is located at ahub site, which site is environmentally controlled and secure.) Finally,in order to provide an addressable fiber node using the approachdescribed in the Lira Application, current networks would have to beredesigned.

[0013] What is needed is a means of addressing existing and new fibernodes in an HFC network and obtaining from the fiber node informationabout signal levels and other characteristics of the cable plant withoutincreasing maintenance risks or modifying the architecture of existingnetworks. It would also be useful to be able to determine the trafficvolume being handled by a fiber node to determine the demand on anupstream CMTS port and to permit adjustment of the upstream combiningratio would need to be made.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention is an addressable fibernode in an HFC network. The fiber node is made addressable by connectinga fiber node to an addressing module. This connection can be made on thesubscriber side of the fiber node or by connecting the addressing moduleto a bi-directional test port associated with subscriber side of thefiber node. In another embodiment of the present invention theaddressing module is integrated into the fiber node.

[0015] It is an aspect of the present invention to add addressingcapability to the existing fiber node in a non-obtrusive manner.

[0016] It is another aspect of the present invention to connect anaddressing module to the test port of an existing fiber node.

[0017] It is a further aspect of the present invention to connect anaddressing module to the subscriber side of an existing fiber node.

[0018] It is still another aspect of the present invention to registerfiber nodes with a CMTS.

[0019] It is another aspect of the present invention to integrate anaddressing module into a fiber node.

[0020] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to obtain fibernode and network information from an addressable fiber node.

[0021] It is a further aspect of the present invention to determine thetraffic volume passing through fiber nodes.

[0022] It is still an aspect of the present invention to isolateproblems within fiber nodes and in the network downstream from fibernodes.

[0023] It is another aspect of the present invention to determine thesignal level at a fiber node.

[0024] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to assesscharacteristics of an HFC network.

[0025] It is still another aspect of the present invention to assess theperformance of devices comprising the physical plant of an HFC network.

[0026] These and other aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent from a review of the general and detailed descriptions thatfollow.

[0027] An embodiment of the present invention is an addressable fibernode in a HFC network. The HFC network may, for example, be aDOCSIS-compliant network. However, this is not meant as a limitation.The fiber node is made addressable by connecting the fiber node to anaddressing module. In this embodiment of the present invention, thefiber node is connected to an addressing module that has a uniqueaddressing module identifier that associates the module with aparticular fiber node. The addressing module identifier is reported tothe CMTS using a registration process that is analogous to the processused by CMs to register with the CMTS. In another embodiment of thepresent invention the addressing module identifier of the addressingmodule is the MAC address of the addressing module. However, the presentinvention is not so limited. As would be apparent to those skilled inthe art of the present invention, any system of addressing that performsthe role of the unique addressing module identifier may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention the fibernode/addressing module pair monitors the operating parameters of thefiber node. By way of illustration, these parameters include thebandwidth used by the cable modems associated with a particular fibernode/addressing module pair, peak bandwidth demand, and othersignal-related data available from the test ports of the cable node towhich the address module is connected. Other parameters that may bemonitored in this way include the optical power, digitally modulatedsignals (QPSK, QAM, FSK) levels, analog video signal quality (depth ofmodulation, average power of carrier, audio deviation), RF CarrierPower, RF noise power, signal to noise, average noise power, carrier tonoise, composite second order, composite triple beat, cross modulation(XMOD), hum, laser clipping, modulation index for the optical signal,phase or group delay, composite intermodulation noise, return loss,coherent disturbances (color phase, white level, video hum, video passband response) peak to valley, video to analog delta measurement,differential gain and phase, and color measurements related to analog(gain, slope, padding, equalization, AGC voltage, current, impedance,transmission loss, ripple, frequency response variation, adjacentchannel measurements, ingress measurements, common path distortion inupstream, optical dispersion, optical absorption, optical reflection,optical refraction, power supply duty cycle, and quasi sin wave dutycycle).

[0029] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the fibernode/addressing module pair may monitor other operating parameterswithout departing from the scope of the present invention. The operatingparameters gathered by the fiber node/addressing module pair arereported to the CMTS for processing by network management tools. Inanother embodiment of the present invention the addressing moduleprocesses the operating parameters and reports the processed data to theCMTS.

[0030] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a voice overInternet protocol (VoIP) phone number comprises an identifier that isassociated with a specific fiber node. The fiber node/addressing modulepair monitors downstream VoIP packets to determine if the packets arefor delivery to a call recipient on connected to that fiber node.Packets that are not directed to call recipients downstream from thefiber node are discarded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a typical HFC network with afiber node that is not addressable.

[0032]FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a typical fiber node with anaddressing module connected to a test port of the fiber node and anaddressing module connected to the subscriber side of the fiber nodeaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a block diagram of a fiber nodeincorporating an addressing module in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0034]FIG. 4 illustrates an addressing module according to an embodimentof the present invention in which test ports on a fiber node areconnected to an addressing module.

[0035]FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an addressing moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention is a fiber node that isaddressable and thereby visible on an HFC network. In one embodiment ofthe present invention a legacy fiber node is made addressable using anaddressing module that has a unique addressing module identifier thatassociates the module with a particular fiber node. The addressingmodule is connected to the legacy fiber node via an RF-port on thesubscriber side of the fiber node. In an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention the addressing module is connected to a test port onthe fiber node.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 5, an addressing module according to anembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. An addressing module500 is connected to the downstream side of a fiber node. The signal isreceived by a diplex filter 525, which separates the downstream signal(typically 54 MHz and above) from the upstream signal (typically 42 MHzand below). A receiver 505 is connected to the high frequency side (“H”)of the diplex filter 525. The downstream signal is an analog signal thathas had information encoded in it by varying both the amplitude andphase of the wave. The receiver processes this signal through ananalog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The A/D converter takes the signal,which varies in voltage, and turns it into a digital stream. Thedownstream signal from receiver 505 is supplied to the addressing modulelogic assembly 510 where the data content is processed through an errorcorrection module and then converted to an appropriate protocol (such as10baseT protocol) and sent to the fiber node interface 515. Atransmitter 520 is connected to the low side (“L”) of the diplex filter525. The transmitter converts the digital signals from the fiber nodeinterface to a modulated analog signal for transmission to the head end.

[0038] Within the addressing module logic assembly 510 is a media accesscontroller (MAC). The MAC acts as the interface between the hardware andsoftware portions of the various network protocols. Fiber node interface515 permits the addressing module 500 to connect to the various testports of the fiber node, converts the network metrics captured from thefiber node to digital signals, and responds to queries sent to it.

[0039]FIG. 2 illustrates a fiber node 200 with an addressing module 210connected to a bi-directional test point 215 associated with thesubscriber side of the fiber node 200. In this embodiment of the presentinvention the test port is used as a tap into the downstream (coax) sideof the fiber node. Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is an addressing module220 connected to the cable exiting the subscriber side of the fiber node200. In this embodiment of the present invention the addressing module220 is connected as close to the fiber node 200 as feasible. Bothaddressing modules 210 and 220 are DOCSIS compatible and adapted toregister with port 125 on CMTS 120 (see FIG. 1) in accordance with theinitialization process illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 3A and B, the initialization process of anaddressing module according to an embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. The addressing module is initialized with the CMTS througha series of handshakes that comprise an exchange of data. The firstprocedure of provisioning is the initialization of the cable modemthrough the transmission of synchronization data from the CMTS.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3A, the addressing module is powered on 300. Itthen scans the cable network for a downstream data channel 305 carryinga signal that the addressing module recognizes as coming from the CMTS.The signal from the CMTS comprises an instruction set used by theaddressing module to communicate with the CMTS.

[0042] The addressing module receives and implements the instruction set308. It then receives an upstream channel descriptor (UCD) message 310from the CMTS. The CMTS periodically transmits this message to alladdressing modules that it controls. The UCD provides the parametersconcerning available upstream channels on which the addressing modulemay transmit. The addressing module stores the channel IDs it receivesand examines each one until it finds a channel on which it can operate315. If successful 318, the addressing module receives another timingSYNC message, extracts an upstream time stamp, and receives a bandwidthallocation message that identifies the upstream transmit frequencyrelated to the selected channel 320. If a channel is not found, theaddressing module again receives a UCD message from the CMTS 310 and theprocess continues.

[0043] Following acquisition of the UCD, SYNC, and the upstream transmitfrequency, the addressing module is able to transmit to the CMTS aninsertion packet 325 called a “ranging request” (RNG-REQ) that providesa service identification (SID) setting of zero. The addressing moduletransmits data at the lowest possible power and slowly increases itduring each interval. If the RNG-REQ successfully reaches itsdestination 330, the CMTS immediately transmits a ranging response(RNG-RSP) 335 and assigns the addressing module a new but temporary SID.The CMTS also sends information to adjust the addressing module'stiming, frequency and transmit power level. If the RNG-REQ is notsuccessful, the again transmits an RNG-REQ to the CMTS 325 and theprocess continues.

[0044] The addressing module sends a dynamic host configuration protocol(DHCP) request to the CMTS 340 for an Internet protocol (IP) address andother parameters. The request includes the MAC address of the addressingmodule. The IP address enables the addressing module to establish itsidentity for receiving the downstream data addressed to it and fortransmitting data from a known Internet address. The CMTS forwards theaddressing module's request for the IP address to an available DHCPserver at the headend. This server contains a database or pool of IPaddresses allocated to the Internet devices on the network. The DHCPserver responds through the CMTS with an IP address and other necessarydata 345. The addressing module extracts this data from the message andimmediately configures its IP parameters 350.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the MAC address of theaddressing module comprises an identifier that is unique to addressingmodules. By way of example and not as a limitation, the first threebytes of the MAC address normally used to identify the manufacturer ofan addressable device comprise a code unique to addressing modules. Inthis embodiment of the present invention the DHCP assigns the addressingmodule an IP address from a block of addresses reserved for addressingmodules. Communications to and from the addressing modules are regulatedby permissions based on the assigned IP address. The last three bytes ofthe MAC address of the addressing module comprise a unique addressingmodule identifier. The addressing module identifier is associated with aparticular fiber node input via a database. In an alternate embodimentof the present invention the addressing module identifier maps to aspecific fiber node and a specific input on that fiber node.

[0046] The addressing module makes a request for the current time anddate from one or more time-of-day (TOD) servers through the CMTS 355.This ensures that the addressing module and the CMTS have accurate timestamps that are attached to requests and responses between the twodevices. These “events” are routinely logged in the network managementsystem at the headend.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3B, after the addressing module receives its IPaddress and accurate time, the addressing module obtains operationalparameters (the “configuration file”) from the CMTS 360 by downloadingthe data using the trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) from a TFTPserver designated for addressing modules. After downloading the file,the addressing module identifies the upstream and downstream channels inthe file. If one or both channels are not the same ones on which it iscurrently operating 365, the addressing module reinitializes itsrelationship with the CMTS using the new upstream frequency found in theoperational parameters file 370. If the channels are not correct, theaddressing module again obtains operational parameters from the CMTS 360and the process continues.

[0048] The final step is for the addressing module to become authorizedto use the network for transmitting data. The addressing module sends aregistration request (REG-REQ) to the CMTS. This REG-REQ includes thecurrent service identification (SID), IP address, operationalparameters, upstream and downstream channel IDs, time stamps, and otherconfiguration settings 375. If the information is accepted 380, the CMTSresponds with a new SID and completes the registration process 390. Ifthe information is not accepted, the addressing module sends a REG-REQto the CMTS 375 and the process continues.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the SID assigned bythe CMTS is unique to addressing modules. The CMTS determines that thedevice sending the registration request is an addressing module from theIP address incorporated into the message. (As described previously, theIP address assigned to the addressing module by the DHCP is also uniqueto addressing modules.)

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, the addressingmodule monitors the traffic received at the fiber node input to whichthe addressing module is connected. The traffic information is loggedand the information sent in the form of a message to the CMTS.

[0051]FIG. 4 illustrates an addressing module according to an embodimentof the present invention in which test points 415 and 420 on a fibernode 400 are connected to input ports on an addressing module 410. Thedata available from the test ports is monitored by the addressingmodule, logged, and sent to the CMTS. By way of example and not as alimitation, the fiber node 400 comprises a Motorola Starline® ScalableOptical Node model SG2440. Test points 415 and 420 permit monitoring asubscriber side RF signal (comprising both upstream and downstreamsignals), a downstream RF signal component, an upstream RF signalcomponent, an upstream transmitter input level, and a downstreamtransmitter output level. In an embodiment of the present invention, theaddressing module 410 is adapted to receive these signals and toprocesses them. In this embodiment of the present invention for each ofthe monitored signals, the addressing module determines the average andpeak signal levels over a sampling period. These levels are digitizedsent to the CMTS for storage and evaluation.

[0052] In another embodiment of the present invention, the addressingmodule 410 is adapted to monitor and receive other parameters relatingto the performance of the fiber node 400 and to the signals that passthrough the fiber node 400. By way of example and not as a limitation,these parameters include the bandwidth used by the cable modemsassociated with a particular fiber node/addressing module pair, peakbandwidth demand, optical power, digitally modulated signals (QPSK, QAM,FSK) levels, analog video signal quality (depth of modulation, averagepower of carrier, audio deviation), RF Carrier Power, RF noise power,signal to noise, average noise power, carrier to noise, composite secondorder, composite triple beat, cross modulation (XMOD), hum, laserclipping, modulation index for the optical signal, phase or group delay,composite intermodulation noise, return loss, coherent disturbances(color phase, white level, video hum, video pass band response) peak tovalley, video to analog delta measurement, differential gain and phase,and color measurements related to analog (gain, slope, padding,equalization, AGC voltage, current, impedance, transmission loss,ripple, frequency response variation, adjacent channel measurements,ingress measurements, common path distortion in upstream, opticaldispersion, optical absorption, optical reflection, optical refraction,power supply duty cycle, and quasi sin wave duty cycle.

[0053] In another embodiment of the present invention, the addressingmodule takes advantage of the ability of a DOCSIS-compliant device toregister IP addresses of devices connected to it. In an embodiment ofthe present invention each input port on the addressing module 410 isassigned an IP address, which is then associated with the test pointconnected to it. The addressing module receives these IP addressesduring the configuration process (see FIG. 3, 375). In this way, theCMTS may poll the individual test ports of the fiber node 400.

[0054] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a voice overInternet protocol (VoIP) phone number comprises an identifier that isassociated with a specific fiber node. The fiber node/addressing modulepair monitors downstream VoIP packets to determine if the packets arefor delivery to a call recipient on connected to that fiber node.Packets that are not directed to call recipients downstream from thefiber node are discarded.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration filecomprises an “IQ” parameter that determines a level of monitoring andreporting the addressing module is capable of performing or,alternatively, a level of monitoring and reporting that address moduleis authorized to perform. By way of illustration and not as alimitation, an IQ parameter value of “1” indicates that the addressingmodule is capable/authorized to answer a simple query (a ping). An IQparameter value of 2 indicates that the addressing module iscapable/authorized to report network-related performance data. And an IQparameter value of 3 indicates that the addressing module iscapable/authorized to filter VoIP packets as previously described. Aswill be apparent to those skilled in the art, other levels of capabilityand authorization may be established for an addressing module withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

[0056] Where the addressing module is capable of performing a higherlevel monitoring and reporting, the IQ parameter may be set by loading anew configuration file into the addressing module.

[0057] A system and method for addressing a fiber node in an HFC networkhas been disclosed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art ofthe present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, such as,but without limitation, a DOCSIS compliant network, without departingfrom the scope of the invention disclosed and that the examples andembodiments described herein are in all respects illustrative and notrestrictive. Those skilled in the art of the present invention willrecognize that other embodiments using the concepts described herein arealso possible.

What is claimed is:
 1. An addressing module for a fiber node deployed in a hybrid fiber network (HFN), the addressing module comprising: a first interface for connecting the addressing module to the fiber node on its subscriber side; a second interface for connecting the addressing module to one or more test points of the fiber node; and a logic module internal to the addressing module adapted to: receive an addressing module identifier from the HFN, wherein the addressing module identifier associates the addressing module with the fiber node; receive from the one or more test points one or more network parameter values related to the performance of the HFN; and send the one or more network parameter values to a reporting station in association with the addressing module identifier.
 2. The addressing module for a fiber node deployed in a HFN as in claim 1, wherein the one or more a network parameters comprise at least one of a cable modem bandwidth parameter, a peak bandwidth demand parameter, an optical power parameter, a digitally modulated signal level parameter, analog video signal quality parameter, and RF Carrier Power parameter, an RF noise power parameter, a signal to noise parameter, an average noise power parameter, a carrier to noise parameter, a composite second order parameter, a composite triple beat parameter, a cross modulation parameter, a hum parameter, a laser clipping parameter, an optical signal modulation index parameter, a phase parameter, a group delay parameter, a composite intermodulation noise parameter, a return loss parameter, a coherent disturbances peak to valley parameter, a video to analog delta measurement parameter, a differential gain and phase parameter, an analog color parameter, and a fiber node operational status parameter.
 3. The addressing module as in claim 1, wherein the one or more network parameter values related to the performance of the are in analog form and wherein the logic module is further adapted to convert each of the one or more analog network parameter values to a digital network parameter value.
 4. The addressing module of claim 1, wherein the logic module is further adapted to: receive a configuration file from the HFN; and configure the addressing module according to the configuration file.
 5. The addressing module as in claim 1, wherein the logic module is further adapted to: receive an instruction from a reporting station; and select one or more network value parameters based on the instruction.
 6. The addressing module as in claim 1, wherein the logic module further comprises a media access controller (MAC) having a MAC address and wherein the addressing module identifier is the MAC address.
 7. The addressing module as in claim 1, wherein the reporting station is a cable modem termination system (CMTS).
 8. The addressing module as in claim 1, wherein the reporting station is a network device.
 9. The addressing module as in claim 1, wherein the HFN is DOCSIS-compliant.
 10. A method for addressing a fiber node in a hybrid fiber network (HFN), the method comprising: associating a fiber node with an addressing module having an addressing module identifier; registering the addressing module identifier with the HFN in association with the fiber node; receiving at the addressing module a status indicator of the fiber node; and reporting the status indicator to a reporting station.
 11. The method for addressing a fiber node in a HFN as in claim 10, wherein the addressing module further comprises a media access controller (MAC) having a MAC address and wherein the addressing module identifier is the MAC address.
 12. The method for addressing a fiber node in a HFN as in claim 10, wherein the reporting station is a cable modem termination system (CMTS).
 13. The method for addressing a fiber node in a HFN as in claim 10, wherein the reporting station is a network device.
 14. The method for addressing a fiber node in a HFN as in claim 10, wherein the status indicator is selected from the group consisting of operating normally, operating abnormally, and inoperable.
 15. The method for addressing a fiber node in a HFN as in claim 10, wherein the HFN is DOCSIS-compliant.
 16. A method for collecting parameter values in a communication path between a cable head end and a subscriber on a DOCSIS-compliant hybrid fiber network (HFN), wherein the HFN comprises an addressing module associated with a fiber node via an addressing module identifier and wherein the method comprises: measuring one or more parameter values at the fiber node associated with the addressing module; receiving the one or more parameter values at the addressing module; and reporting the one or more parameter values to a reporting station in association with the addressing module id.
 17. The method for collecting parameter values in a communication path between a cable head end and a subscriber on a HFN as in claim 16, wherein the one or more parameter values is at least one of a cable modem bandwidth parameter, a peak bandwidth demand parameter, an optical power parameter, a digitally modulated signal level parameter, analog video signal quality parameter, and RF Carrier Power parameter, an RF noise power parameter, a signal to noise parameter, an average noise power parameter, a carrier to noise parameter, a composite second order parameter, a composite triple beat parameter, a cross modulation parameter, a hum parameter, a laser clipping parameter, an optical signal modulation index parameter, a phase parameter, a group delay parameter, a composite intermodulation noise parameter, a return loss parameter, a coherent disturbances peak to valley parameter, a video to analog delta measurement parameter, a differential gain and phase parameter, an analog color parameter, and a fiber node operational status parameter.
 18. The method for collecting parameter values in a communication path between a cable head end and a subscriber on a HFN as in claim 16, wherein the addressing module further comprises a media access controller (MAC) having a MAC address and the addressing module identifier comprises the MAC address.
 19. The method for collecting parameter values in a communication path between a cable head end and a subscriber on a HFN as in claim 16, wherein the reporting station is a cable modem termination system (CMTS).
 20. The method for collecting parameter values in a communication path between a cable head end and a subscriber on a HFN as in claim 16, wherein the reporting station is a network device.
 21. The method for collecting parameter values in a communication path between a cable head end and a subscriber on a HFN as in claim 16, wherein the HFN is DOCSIS-compliant. 